The Event: the bi-annual PMA Canada Chairman's Gala, March 24, 2009

The Time and Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2009  3PM to 9 PM
The Event: the bi-annual PMA Canada Chairman's Gala.
The Venue: the Toronto Hunt, by Lake Ontario
The Target Audience: clients, media, LCBP product consultants.
The Availability/Catalogue: everything is coming in to Consignment, or
a few are on Private Order, some are at Vintages, some are here now.
The Quote/Background: we began with two seminars. The first was with
Heinrich Breuer of Georg Breuer Winery in Germany, a dry riesling
specialist. Their philosophy is to produce wines that complement food,
are intense, and age well. They were one of the first wineries to use
sustainable practices. Six wines were shown. The second seminar was
with Berenice Barker of Cape Legends, South Africa. Her theme was South
African Terroir. Again, six wines were shown, from different varietals
such as gewürztraminer, barocca, sangiovese, and pinotage.
The Wines: including the seminars, about 70 wines were shown. This
included six interesting non-Champagne sparklers. I could not try all
of the wines, but here are my ratings:

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Norton Cosecha Especial Extra Brut NV, Mendoza, $18.95 Retail.
-Pongracz Methode Cap Classique, Stellenbosch, $18.95.
-Georg Breuer Terra Montosa Riesling 2007
-Georg Breuer Montosa Charta Rheingau Riesling 1997, n/a
-Nino Negri Sfursat 5 Stelle di Valtellina 2005, Lombardy, $69.95
-Norton Malbec Reserva 2006, Mendoza, $18.95
-Villa Maria Reserve Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Marlborough New
Zealand, $35.
-Korta Barrel Selection Reserve Syrah 2007, $14.95 – my fave red of the
night
-Murrietta's Well Meritage Red 2005, Livermore, $44.95.
-Korta Gran Reserve Petit Verdot 2007, Chile, $27.
-Montecillo Gran Reserva Seleccion Especial 1981, Rioja, $75.

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Offley 20 Year Old Tawny Port, Douro, $50
-Lamond Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Pincushion, South Africa, $30
-Georg Breuer Terra Montosa Riesling 2001, n/a
-Nugan Estate Manuka Grove Durif 2007, SE Australia, $29.95
-Candido Salice Salentino Riserva 2004, Apulia, $13.95.
-Rhoning Stones Cote du Rhone 2007, $18.95.
-Kunde Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Sonoma, $92.
-Donum Estate Carneros Pinot Noir 2005, Carenos California, $99.
-Murrietta's Well Meritage White 2007, Livermore, $40.
-Frescobaldi Collazzi Toscana IGT 2006, Tuscany, $48.95.
-Andretti Napa Valley Chardonnay 2007, $40
-Norton Perdriel Single Vineyard 2005, Mendoza, [Malbec blend] $64.95.

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Georg Breuer Brut Sparkling 2004, Rudesheim, $69.95.
-Osborne Pedro Ximenez 1827 Sherry, $19.95
-Chateau Moulinat Haut-Medoc 2005, $24.95.
-Moncaro Vigneti del Parco Conero Riserva 2005, Marches Italy, $34.95.
-Villa Maria Reserve Merlot 2005, Hawkes Bay New Zealand, $44.95.
-Korta Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay/Viognier 2008, Chile, $12.95.
-Andretti Napa Valley Primitivo/Zinfandel 2006, $44.95.
-Alianca Quinta de Baceladas 2005, Bairrada Portugal, $19.95.
-Alianca Quinta Dos Quatro Ventos Reserva 2006, Douro, $26.95.
-Chateau des Perelins Pomerol 2006, $36.95

 

The Food: as always, an extravaganza of roast beef, lamb, cured salmon,
shrimp, oysters, cheeses, breads, ribs, wings, fruit, and desserts.
The Downside: it got crowded real fast, and it was difficult to move
around after 6 PM. Over 400 were on the list, but I'm sure that there
were "others" who arrived later.
The Upside: a good chance to taste some unusual portfolio wines.
The Contact Person: tmcdonald@pmacanada.com
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 90.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com